There are no two ways about it; planning a wedding is expensive. For many couples who are looking to set a date, there’s one area that can feel more daunting than choosing the perfect dress or the perfect venue. The food at the reception.
Even if you only have a very small wedding, the costs of the cake and all the tasty nibbles can quickly mount up, which can make couples very nervous. So, here, you’ll be walked through some of the most cost-effective ways to cater your wedding.
Food Truck
Opting for a food truck is one of the most affordable types of wedding catering that you can have. This can also add a unique or modern twist to your wedding, and, as hiring a food truck is often cheaper than other options, these are growing in popularity in 2025. Best of all, food trucks usually come with a wide range of food options, so be sure to ask about their menus.
On a side note, you’ll likely have to check with the wedding venue where you plan to have your reception if you’re allowed to hire a food truck to be on the premises. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Finger Food
Who doesn’t love finger food at a wedding? Small, bite-sized portions of larger dishes are not only cheaper than opting for full buffets, but they also add an interesting look to your wedding, as well as a touch of class.
In 2025, catering teams that offer finger food will be able to offer savory, sweet, and dietary-based options, such as gluten-free and vegan. So, everyone who attends your wedding can enjoy these tasty mini food items
Drop-Off Food
Ok so when you’re planning a wedding that has a big guest list or you want to have a buffet at your wedding reception, one of the cheapest ways to do this is to hire drop-off food. As the name suggests, this is food that is prepared and cooked by a catering team in a kitchen away from the reception location and is dropped off to be set up as a buffet.
These options are cheaper than having the food cooked at the location of the reception, but fret not; it’s also an option that offers tasty, high-quality food that will cover an array of dietary needs. Of course, before you hire a catering team to oversee your wedding meals, be sure to have taster sessions.
Potluck
If you’re having a smaller, more intimate wedding, and you want to keep the costs down, you can look into a potluck. This is, in essence, when guests bring along home-cooked items, which are placed on a table at the reception for all to enjoy. So, instead of bringing your own bottle, bring your own food! To prevent duplicates, it may be worth sending around a list of food that you want to have and then assign guests with set food.
This has the obvious benefit of being cheap, and it allows all the guests to contribute to the wedding in a fun and creative way.
